More than 80 flood warnings are currently active across the UK as heavy rainfall continues to impact the nation. The Environment Agency (EA) has issued a total of 91 flood warnings, mainly affecting southern and south-western England, as well as the East and West Midlands. Additionally, there are 261 flood alerts in place, suggesting potential flooding throughout much of England, alongside 11 flood alerts from Natural Resources Wales.
The severe weather conditions have prompted urgent advisories. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned that due to continuous heavy rainfall, the River Dene is approaching a flood stage, raising concerns for local residents.
As confirmed by the Met Office, regions in south-west England and South Wales have faced rain every day of the year, resulting in a January that has been significantly wetter than usual, with rainfall levels exceeding average by 50%. Forecasters anticipate blustery showers along southern coastlines in the south-west on Saturday, with South Wales also expecting heavy downpours.
On Sunday, while a mix of showers and sunshine is predicted, more wet and windy weather is expected to arrive from the west in the early days of next week. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin remarked on the persistent wet conditions, stating, “Friday has been notably soggy across much of the country, with a cold wind continuing to bring cloud and moisture to north-east England and eastern Scotland.”
These challenges come on the heels of Storm Chandra, which struck various regions in the UK, causing record rainfall on January 26. Notably, Katesbridge in County Down received an astonishing 100.8mm of rain, far exceeding its previous record of 38.2mm set in 2005. Other areas, such as Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon and locations in Dorset and Cornwall, also experienced significant rainfall, surpassing their respective daily records.
As communities brace for ongoing adverse weather, local authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and heed flood warnings to stay safe.